Firstly, as the foundation, we will develop infrastructure. This is very important."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Three stages of national development will be needed to realize the Indonesia 2045 Vision, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated here on Monday.

The implementation of the three stages of development will be carried out in three 10-year periods, he noted before the 16th National Working Meeting of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs.

Infrastructure development, to serve as the foundation for other developmental stages, will be carried out in the initial 10 years, he remarked.

"Firstly, as the foundation, we will develop infrastructure. This is very important," he emphasized.

Infrastructure development is a program on which the government of President Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla will rely to boost the countrys competitive power.

"We must really focus and complete this first stage of infrastructure development in order to strengthen our competitiveness. The cost of logistics and transportation will be much cheaper and will make the prices of goods competitive as compared to products from abroad," he said.

Several development projects are currently being carried out by the government, including those in the areas of electricity infrastructure, toll roads, airports, and also seaports, which are being sped up.

"Seaport development projects are carried out in three shifts. They include Kuala Tanjung, Makassar New Port, Tanjung Priok, and this year, we will start with the port in Sorong (Papua). Without them, it would be impossible for us to become competitive in the current era of openness, which we can no longer avoid," he stated.

President Widodo has expressed hope that the development projects would also improve the development of human resources.

From 2030 to 2035, Indonesia will enjoy a demographic bonus in which the country will be supported by 52 percent of its productive-age population.

This is what Indonesia must be able to benefit from in order to compete with other countries, he remarked.

"If the development of human resources is carried out, it would create a strong workforce. However, if it fails, it would create a huge burden for the country. Hence, I remind anyone who will lead the country in future that human resource development will be the key to taking us into Indonesias Golden Age in 2045," he pointed out.

The second stage will cover the development of the processing industry to increase added value.

"During this period, raw materials must no longer be sold before they are processed, at least into semi-finished products. We must no longer export crude palm oil. Derivative products must be produced whether in the form of cooking oil, cosmetics, or others. We must no longer export it in the form of raw materials. It also applies on corn. We must not export it in raw form. All types of foods, including animal feed, must pass through the processing industries," he explained.

The last stage will encompass the development of the service industry, including the tourism sector.

"Our strength is actually the tourism industry. Younger generations must join the sector, which is very promising. We are now developing 10 new tourist destinations. Go there," he added.

(Reported by Hanni Sofia Soepardi/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/S012)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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